Windshield wiper



May 15, 1951 T. J. SMULSKI 2,552,822

WINDSHIELD WIPER Filed Jan. 5, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet l na l/111 mm 4 INVENTOR THEODORE J. SMULSKI A O RNEY y 15, 1951 T. J. SMULSKI 2,552,822

WINDSHIELD WIPER Filed Jan. 5, 1946 l 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 44 Q 43 \o o 1 3!;9'. 9 INVENTOR THEODORE J'. SMULSK Patented May 15,

WINDSHIELD WIPER Theodore J. Smulski, Gary, Ind., assignor to Productive Inventions, Inc., a corporation of Indiana Application January 5, 1946, Serial No. 639,333

8 Claims. 1

This invention relates to mechanism alternatively usable for connecting the arm and blade members of windshield wipers to one another in such manner that the blade may be secured in different positions of angular adjustment relative to the arm, or in such manner that a freely pivoting connection of the arm and blade may be provided in conjunction with means for controlling relative angular oscillation of the blade and arm about a fore and aft axis.

The primary objectof the present invention is to provide a simple and practical construction for effecting standardization of parts of wiper arms, to adapt them for various standard uses of the kind indicated above.

In some instances it is desirable that the wiper blade extend at a fixed angle to the wiper arm. In different installations the desired angle varies.

, 2 r Figure 2 i an enlarged, fragmentary view in front elevation, broken away intermediate its ends for compactness of illustration, showing partioularly the means for connecting the wiper An advantageous construction which admits of i is advantageous to mount the blade upon thewiper arm with complete freedom for 'rotative movement relative to the wiper arm, and to control the angular disposition of the wiper blade through a parallel link arrangement which causes the wiper blade to maintain an unchanging attitude as it travels from side to side across the windshield.

In accordance with still another standard practice, the wiperblade is mounted on the wiper arm with complete freedom for angular movement relative to the wiper arm about a fore and aft axis, but oscillatory movement of the bladerelative to the arm about such axis is produced as an incident of the operation of the arm through suitable movement modifying mechanism.

It is a salient feature of the present invention that a standardized wiper arm construction is provided which is adapted for use in any one of the modes of operation outlined above, together with simple and inexpensive adapter means.

Other object and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawing forming part of this specification Figure l is a fragmentary view in front elevation of a windshield wiper, the latter of which incorporates features of the invention;

blade and arm members to one another in positively fixed relation; 1

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in side elevation, partly broken away, and broken away intermediate its ends for compactness of illustration, showing the parts disclosed in Figure 1 on a larger scale than Figure l, the portion shown in section being viewed in the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 3 but showing a modification of the structure illustrated in Figure 3; a

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 but illustrating a parallel motion control linkage for the wiper blade;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view in front elevation, broken away intermediate its ends for compactness of illustration, showing on a larger scale and in greater detail a portion of the structure illustrated in Figure 5;

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken upon the line 'l'l of Figure 6 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 8 is a view generally similar to Figure, 3, showing the form in which the wiper arm em: ployed in Figure '7 is commonly to be shipped;

Figure 9 is a view in side elevation, partly.

broken away, illustrating a wiper arm together with movement modifying means, the arrangement being such that the wiper blade may be pivoted freely on the wiper arm subject to the limitation and control imposed by the movement modifying means;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of the structure illustrated in Figure 9;

Figure 11 illustrates an arrangement as an alternative to that of Figures 5 to 7 in which the standard link which forms part of the standard arm a disclosed in Figure 8, is employed for its full length as one of the elements of a parallel motion linkage.

Figure 12-is a view generally similar to Figure 3, showing the structure of Figure 11 in side elevation;

Figure 13 is a view generally similar to Figure 11 disclosing a structure employing a link which,

Figure 15 is a, fragmentary view, partly broken be used in a system requiring the wiper blade,

to be held in differentpositions of angular adjustment relative to the wiper arm, or whethen it is to be used in a system requiring free pivoting of the wiper blade relatiile"toftlieiwiper arm, so that the motion of' the wiper blade can be controlled by parallel motion linkage or other suitable movement modifyingmeans. 'IZhepresi-1v ent invention centers around this feature of adaptability, and the construction of parts of the wiper arm not connected with this feature :neybetsteier" conventional, or of any suitable 'dejsign'f'sine "they do not enter into the invention; otherwise than as a part of the necessary'environment'thereof. V "is illustrated herein, the wiper arm per se comprises, as best illustrated in Figure 9, an ineeet1c 1n""| which is adaptedto be seedin anylsuitable'manner upon a windshield er shaft 2 easy-mean of a nut 3- threaded the forward end of the shaft 2. The wiper ar section carriesfa cross pirl or rivet 4 upon which a-second channeled wiper arm section 5 is pivotally supported, this second wiper arm section being biaseditoward' the windshield, in accordan'ce withwell-known practice, by spring means, (notshqwn). A third wiperarm section h s teleseeb a'rm section 5, 'being'clamped'in' a selected position of lengthwiseadjustment by 'ajsemaphore le 'lr 1 as 'discljosedandclaiined in myratent o f ar as theillustrative disclosure of the present appiication is concerned, this much of h .Wir m. le. th m in l f e. forms illustrat'ed,although as has been indicated, thereis nothing critically connected with the nt inve tion about any of the details of uction offthis much of the wiper' arm. Referring now toFigures 1 to 3, inclusive, a

wiper "arm adapted for standardized use is illus n in the form in which it is manufactured and, sh pped; to the user. This arm comprises affrjvet- {which passes. suecessively through a friction w asher ll, a link Ill, acombined spacing collanand' bearing bushing H, a friction washer 12,, and the forward body portion l 3 of a U- shapedbladedclip ll The blade clip I 4 is seeuredtotheri d frame lli of a wiper blade 16 lay-means oiaiiv U whic soas ed hrou th 'e side walls of the clip 'M and through the blade frame 15., As shown in Figure 3, the blade is free to pivoton the rivet l1, so that thepres sure of the blade against the windshield may tea. err ical q a zed th ou t len of ithe blade.

The rivet 8 comprises a large head l8 anda shankportion lii the latter being about equal inlllength, to the combined thicknesses of i the V washer "a and the link in; "IheriVet'furtherincludesa rednced shank portion 20 which passes through: the bushing H, the washer l2, and the body portion, l3.of the. clip l4, being ,equal in. length to the combined thicknesses of these lly received inthe channeled wiper parts. The rear end of the rivet 8 is upset so that the rivet holds the washer 9, the link In, the bushing I I, and the washer l2 firmly pressed together. The spacing collar ll fits in an opening 2| in the outer end of wiper arm section 6, and is somewhat thicker than the thickness of the wiper arm section 6. The purpose of providing this diiference in thickness will be made clear presently in connection with the description of some of the other figures.

The link It] extends inward along the wiper arm section 6 in engagement with the latter, andis afiixed to it by a rivet 22 which passes through openings 2?; v and 24 formed respectively injthe link It and, in the wiper arm section 6.

Thus, the link lll and the wiper arm section 6 are positively secured in immovable relation to one another.

With the parts assembled and organized as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3; and as hereinabove described in connection with said figures, the wipei blade is' adapted to be adjustedrelative to 'the wiper arm about the axis of rivet- 8i and held'friction'aily in adjusted position by coaction eethe friction washer 9 with the link H3. Since the link i0 is not capable of any movementwhat ever'with respect tothe wiper arm section 6,

the q frictionalfsecurement of the blade in ad jiis'ted angular relation to the link l0 'serves also ti'iix the wiperblade in adjusted angular relation to the wiper arm section 6.

"The' construction described is a suitable standard form in -which a Windshield wiper e1n' bodying the present invention is manufactured and shipped. As thus manufacturedandshipped the wiper is not limited to use inthe exact-form in whic'h it is illustrated inFigures I to 3.

The wiper of Figures 1 to 3, including all of the parts heretofore described, is 5 adapted foruse mt. mechanism like that illustrated in Fig ures 6 "and 7. Corresponding reference characters are accordingly applied in- Figures 5 to 7 parts which are duplicates of those shown and-- described inand in connection with Figures 1 to 3-.

In the construction illustrated-in Figures 5,'6-

and l, the wiper blade I6 is controlled'to maintain afix edattitude a's it is swept back and forth by the oscillatory wiper arm, thisfmode of op eration being brought about thrQ h a parallel linkarraiigement For this purpose it-is necessary that theiw iper blade [6 be capable of free pivotal movement relative to the wiper arml In the construction illustrated in Figures 5, 6

and '7, the rivet 22, which is desirably formed of malleable iron or other soft metal, is cutaway andfwithdrawn from the holesj23 and 24 in the link [0 and the wiper arm section 6. The link 10 is thus rendered free to turn relative to the wiper arm section 6, and the rivet 8, togetherwith the clip I 4 which'were' held; against pivotal movementbefore only because thelink lfl was heldagainst pivotal movement by the rivet 22,

are rendered free to turn with the link I0.

Thefriction washer I2 restrains the clip l4 andthe rivet 8 against rotation relative to the bushing member 'l'l, and-the friction washer 9 restrains the rivet 8 against rotation relative to the link I 0,!butsince the bushing l I is rotatably mpunted in twiper arm section 6,; the link In, the rivet 8, the washersBand l2, the clip [4 andthe bushing ll are freeto turn in unison relative to the wiper arm section 6.- It is for the purpose ofv assuring this freedom that the bushing, l l is made thicker than the wiper arm section 6, so that there will be no frictional pressure exerted against 1 f. 5 I the front and rear faces of the wiper arm section 6. v

A link extension arm 3| is fixedly secured to the link Ill by means of a rivet 32 which is passed through an opening in the extension arm 3| and through the opening 23 in the link l6, and upset to clamp these parts firmly together. The extension arm 3| is a sheet metal channelled member the side walls of which embrace and fit the sides of link Ill and positively preclude pivoting of the extension arm relative to the link In.

The extension arm 3| includes at the outer end thereof a pivot pin 33. ing collar 34 which engages the front face of the extension arm 3| and a rear end portion 35 which is passed through an opening in the outer end of the extension arm 3| and upset.

A link 36 is pivotally connected at 31 to the frame 33 of windshield 39 at a definite distance from the axis of wiper actuating shaft 2. The link 36 is formed with an opening 51 in its outer end for receiving and substantially fitting the pivot pin 33. The link 36 may be retained in place on the pivot pin 33 by means of a cotter pin 40.

The distance from 31 to the axis of shaft 2 is the same as the distance from the axis of rivet B to the axis of pivot pin 33, the extension member 3| being so chosen as to secure this relationship. The distance from the axis of pivot 31 to the axis of pivot pin 33 is equal to the distance from the axis of shaft 2 to the axis of rivet 8.

With the arrangement described, a parallel motion is provided, the combined link ||l--3| being maintained always in parallelism to a line I joining the axis of shaft 2 with the axis of pivot 31. Since the combined link |--3| is fixed angularly with respect to the wiper blade, the. attitude of the wiper blade is maintained the same at all times.

It is also to be noted that with the arrangement illustrated in Fig. the wiper blade may still be adjusted angularly relative to the link H], and that it will be frictionally retained in any angular relation to the link In to which it may be adjusted.

In Fig. 6 an extension member 3| is shown in full lines and a shorter extension member 3|;r is shown in broken lines. The purpose is to show how an effective length of link may be provided corresponding with the distance between the axis of shaft 2 and the point 3'! for securing a parallel motion linkage. The position of arm 36 corresponding to the use of extension member 3|:r: is indicated in dot and dash lines at 36:0 in Fig. 6.

While these links have been described solely from the viewpoint of securing a parallel motion linkage, it will be appreciated that desirable modifications of movement of the wiper blade relative to the wiper arm may be had by making the composite link |03| of a different length from the distance between the axis of shaft 2 and the point 31.

In Fig. 4 a construction is illustrated which is a modification of that shown in Figs. 1 to 3. The parts are all identical with the parts shown in Figs. 1 to 3 with the single exception that a case hardened self-tapping screw 4| is substituted for the rivet 22. This screw is of a familiar type manufactured and sold by the Parker Kalon Corporation which is adapted to cut its own thread.

through the openings 23 and 24 of the link I0 and the arm section 6 and to establish a vibration proof connection between these members. Although the screw constitutes a very secure and This pin includes a spac pa e;

dependable anchoring device for joining the members 6 and ID to one another, it can be backed out of the openings 23 and 24 by a workman to free the link II] for rotation relative to the arm section 6 when an organization like that of Figs. 5 to 7, inclusive, is desired.

The structure illustrated in Fig. 8 is desirably the same in all respects as the structure illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 with the exception that a link Illa is substituted for the link 6, which is longer than the link ID of Figs. 1 to 3. The link |0a includes an offset end portion 25 which is adapted to bear against the forward face of the wiper arm section 5 when the parts are secured in the relative positions illustrated in Fig. 8. The offset portion 25 is formed with an opening 26.

As shown in Fig. 8 the wiper arm is adapted to operate in exactly the Way described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3.

When it is desired to use the structure of Fig. 8 in connection with a parallel motion linkage, however, the rivet 22 is cut away and removed from the openings 23 and 24 to free the link Illa, the wiper blade l6, and the parts connecting them to one another, for rotative movement relative to the arm section 6-. The link Illa then takes the place of the composite link Ill-3| of Figs. 5 to 7.

In this instance, however, the link Illa is pivotally connected to the parallel motion link 36 by means of a separate headed pivot pin 52. The shank of pin 52 is passed upward through the opening 51 of link 36 and through the opening 58 of link led. A washer 53 is impaled upon the shank of pin 52 to engage the upper face of link Illa, and the parts are held in assembled relation by a pin 54 which is passed through the upper end of pin 52. The length of link Illa may be chosen in accordance with the known requirements of the installation to which the wiper is to be applied. The wiper arm, itself, may be adjusted in length to correspond to the effective a length of link 36.

Either the structure of Figs. 1 to 3, Fig. 4, or Fig. 8 may be employed in connection with movement modifying mechanism of the kind illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10.

In this kind of construction the wiper blade I6 is caused to oscillate relative to the wiper arm during operation so that a free swiveling of the wiper blade relative to the wiper arm is desired.

A guide rod 42 is pivotally mounted on a stationary arm 43. The guide rod 42 includes a forwardly extending portion 44 which includes a bearing collar 45 for engaging the arm. 43, and

the rod is held to the plate by means of a washer 46 and a cotter pin 55, the latter being passed through the rear end of the portion 44 of rod 42. The rod 42 also includes an outwardly extending portion 41 which extends slidingly through ears 48 formed on a guide clip 49, the clip, in turn, being allixed to the inner end of the wiper blade frame l5 by a rivet 50.

For an installation involving this type of movement modifying mechanism a free swiveling of the wiper blade l6 relative to the wiper arm is desired. Accordingly, the rivet 22 is cut off and driven out of the openings 23 and 24, and the link In of Figs. 1 to 3 or Illa of Fig. 8 is then cut off along the dotted line designated 5|].

As an alternative to the employment of the straight link Illa in the combination of Figs. 8, 11 and 12 or the composite link |0--3| in the combination of Figs. 5 to '7, a link 6| may be employed having capacity for adjustment as to its effective length- This link comprises, two. sections, 6.2 and 63'; which are connected respectively to the wiperarm section sand to thelink-sfi in the man-.

ner illustrated in Figs. 8, 11' andlZ; Thefree ends. of the link sections 62 and 53- are overlapped. and'a friction washer 5.4 is interposed between them. A rivet fi-passed through the link sections 62 and 63 and through the washer 64. clamps the overlapped endsof the link sections in firm frictional engagement with. they opposite faces of-the washer 64.

.Thesections 62- and, 63 are normally maint'ainedflby friction in fixed angular relation to one another; but they may be adjusted angularly and held frictionallyin the new adjusted relationship to establish any desired effective length of the link within the capacityof the structure. With'this arrangement a considerable variety of installations can be accommodated without the necessity forproviding alternative formsv of links or linkelements.

The composite link6263 may be utilized, in.

place of. the link iii of Figs. 1 to. 3, by'folding the composite link at the joint and securing its-free end to the wiper section 6' by means of a rivet 22.

Thestructure illustrated in Fig. 15 .corresponds generally to that shown in Fig. 3 save thatthe friction washer. 9.,the link It, and the rivet 22, ofFigure 3 are omitted.

A rivet H has a shank portion H which is passedthrough, a bearing bushing 73, the bearing-bushingybeing rotatably received in an opening 14. formed in. the wiper arm 6. A reduced shank portion :5 of the rivet ii is passed through a friction washer i i and the blade clip 1?. The

rear end of the rivet H is upset to form a headv 87. The friction washer, it. is clamped between a wall. ofthe blade. clip Ti and a shoulder which is formed at the rear end of shank portion E2 of the rivet l l. greater. length than the thickness of the arm sec tion 6, while the bearing bushing 13 is of. less.

thickness than the arm section-E50 that the rivet together. with the blad clip H can turn freely withrelation to the arm section 6.. This construction is adapted for usein connectionwith.

a. movement modifying mechanism of the. kind illustrated in Figure 9.

Figure 16 shows the identical construction of Figure 15 with the. exception that a friction Washer 18 is interposed between the head of the rivet H and wiper arm section 6. Thethickness of the friction washer it is such that the washer is caused to bear in firm frictional engagement with the head of the rivet and with the arm section 6. It. Will be seen that the free pivoting connection of Figure l5 and the frictional adjusting connection of Figure 16 emplo identical awiper blade anda wiper arm of a linkconnected at one, end to the arm and to the blade with capacity. for movement relative to the arm about a fore and aft axis, means about the axis frictionally opposing movement of the blade relative to the link about said axis, and means whereby a portion of the link can be positively secured The. shank portion 72 of the rivet is of 8 to. the. arm. to secure thelink against movement relative to the arm about said'axis.

2. In a windshieldwipenthe combinatiomwith a wiper arm and a wiper. blade, of mechanism for mounting the blade on the arm comprising a member fixedly secured to a portion of the blade and. mounted on the arm with capacity for'rotative movement. relative thereto about a fore and aft/axis, an element. mounted upon said member,. automatic. means about the axis for frictionally opposing rotationof said member relative to said element. abouta fore and aft. axis, and fastening means whereby. the element can be positively securedto the wiper.- arm. against rotative move-- mentrelative thereto.

3- Ina windshield wiper, the combination with. a Wiper arm andv a wiper blade, ofmechani'sm mountingthe blade on the. arm comprising, a member, fixedly secured to-a portion. of. the blade. and, mount'ed'on the arm with. capacity for rotae tive movement relative thereto about a fore and.- aft.axis-,.an element impaled upon said member, andymeans about. the axis-for frictionally opposing rotation of saidmember relative to said,element about a fore and aft axis, said wiperarm. and element. having. openings. at equal distances from. said. axis. which may be brought. into reg istration for reception of a. through fastener by. rotation of the. element relative to the arm.

4. In a Windshield. wiper, the combination with. a. wiper blade. anda wiper arm, of an element.

connected. to the arm and to the blade with.

tionally. opposing movement. ofthe blade. rela-- tiveito theelementabout said axis, and meansconnected tothe element for controlling. move ment of the element andblade relative tothe armabout said axis. 7

5. In a windshield wiper, the combination with, a wiper blade and awiper arm, of. a. link. connected. to the arm and to the blade with capacity for movement relativeto either aboutafore and aft axis, means about the axis for frictionally opposing. movement of the blade relative tothe link about said axis, and means conneetedto the linkand combined therewith to form a parallel motion controllinkage for the blade-said linkage including an. adapter. extension forthe link.

6. Ina windshield wiper, the combinationwith- V a wiper blade and a wiper arm, of a-link, connected at one end to the arm and blade, with.

capacity for movement relative to the arm about a fore and aft axis, means about the axis 'frictionally opposing movement oft-h blade relativeto the link about said axis, and means whereby the opposite end of the'link ma be positively secured to the arm tosecure the link against movement relative to the arm about said axis,-

said link including a pair of connected sections.

7. In awindshield wiper, the combinationwitha. wiper blade andv awiper arm, of a headed through fastener passed through the arm.and a,

portion-of the. blade, said fastener having a head, a. shank. portion of. relatively large diameter adjacent the head, and a shank portion of relatively small diameter remote from. the head, abearing sleeve of less height than the first mentionedshank portion surroundingsaid portion .androtatively mounted inthe. wiperarm, and means securing. the wiper blade in fixed relation to. saidv 9 portion of the blade, said fastener having a head, a shank portion of relatively large diameter adjacent the head, and a shank portion of relatively small diameter remote from the head, a bearing sleeve of less height than the first mentioned shank portion surrounding said portion and rotatively mounted in the Wiper arm, and means securing the wiper blade in fixed relation to said through fastener, and. a friction washer firmly clamped between the wiper arm and the head of said through fastener for frictionally opposing movement of the wiper blade relative to the arm about the axis of said through fastener.

THEODORE J. SMULSKI.

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